Structure-activity relationships of larvicidal monoterpenes and derivatives against Aedes aegypti Linn

In the search for larvicidal compounds against Aedes aegypti L. (Diptera: Culicidae), a collection of monoterpenes were selected and evaluated. R- and S-limonene exhibited the highest larvicidal potency (LC₅₀ = 27 and 30 ppm, respectively), followed by γ-terpinene (LC₅₀ = 56 ppm) and RS-carvone (LC₅₀ = 118 ppm). Structural characteristics which may contribute to the understanding of the larvicidal activity of monoterpenes were empirically identified. The presence of heteroatoms in the basic hydrocarbon structure decreases larvicidal potency. Conjugated and exo double bonds appear to increase larvicidal potency. Replacement of double bonds by more reactive epoxides decreases the larvicidal potency. The presence of hydroxyls in the cyclic structure resulted in decreased potency, probably due to increased polarity indicanting that lipophilicity seems to play an important role in increasing the larvicidal potency in this set of compounds.     

Factors affecting energy saving behaviour: a prospective research

The purpose of this study is to outline the theme of saving energy resources and its relationship with the preservation of the environment, as well as the importance of green marketing in achieving sustainability. The model of data collection was a survey conducted by self-administered questionnaire. After collection, the data were statistically analysed and interpreted. Most individuals claim to be concerned about environmental problems, with 68% of these belonging to the ‘Savers’ group. However, even though they may be concerned with environmental problems, the vast majority of individuals do not have any system of renewable energy in their homes, despite claiming that renewable energies are a viable option for protecting the environment. Women display behaviour that is more favourable to the saving of energy resources than do men. Educational levels are not significant for distinguishing the more pro-environmental individuals from the others.     

Particulate organic compounds emitted from experimental wildland fires in a Mediterranean ecosystem

Fine (PM_2.5) and coarse (PM_2.5–10) smoke particles from controlled biomass burnings of a shrub-dominated forest in Lousã Mountain, Portugal, enabled the quantification by chromatographic techniques of several molecular tracers for the combustion of Mediterranean forest ecosystems, which could be conducive to source apportionment studies. The major organic components in the smoke samples were pyrolysates of vegetation cuticles, mainly comprising steradienes and sterol derivatives, carbohydrates from the breakdown of cellulose, aliphatic lipids from vegetation waxes and methoxyphenols from the lignin thermal degradation. Most of these compounds are chiefly found in fine particles. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) were also present as minor constituents. Anhydrosugar and PAH molecular diagnostic ratios were applied as source assignment tools. Some biomarkers are reported for the first time in biomass burning smoke.     

Experimental evidence for a significant contribution of cellulose to indoor aerosol mass concentration

An apartment bedroom located in a residential area of Aveiro (Portugal) was selected with the aim of characterizing the cellulose content of indoor aerosol particles. Two sets of samples were taken: (1) PM₁₀ collected simultaneously in indoor and outdoor air; (2) PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 collected simultaneously in indoor air. The aerosol particles were concentrated on quartz fibre filters with low-volume samplers equipped with size selective inlets. The filters were weighed and then extracted for cellulose analysis by an enzymatic method. The average indoor cellulose concentration was 1.01 ± 0.24 μg m^?3, whereas the average outdoor cellulose concentration was 0.078 ± 0.047 μg m^?3, accounting for 4.0% and 0.4%, respectively, of the PM₁₀ mass. The corresponding average ratio between indoor and outdoor cellulose concentrations was 11.1 ± 4.9, indicating that cellulose particles were generated indoors, most likely due to the handling of cotton-made textiles as a result of routine daily activities in the bedroom. Indoor cellulose concentrations averaged 1.22 ± 0.53 μg m^?3 in the aerosol coarse fraction (determined from the difference between PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 concentrations) and averaged 0.38 ± 0.13 μg m^?3 in the aerosol fine fraction. The average ratio between the coarse and fine fractions of cellulose concentrations in the indoor air was 3.6 ± 2.1. This ratio is in line with the primary origin of this biopolymer. Results from this study provide the first experimental evidence in support of a significant contribution of cellulose to the mass of suspended particles in indoor air.     

Copper, zinc and lead speciation in salt marsh sediments colonised by Halimione portulacoides and Spartina maritima

Total concentrations and fractionation of Cu, Zn and Pb in seven operationally defined phases (exchangeable, carbonates, manganese oxides, organic complexes, amorphous iron oxides, crystalline iron oxides and residual) were determined in sediments colonised by the halophyte species Halimione portulacoides and Spartina maritima in a Tagus estuary salt marsh (Portugal). We aimed to determine whether the speciation of these metals was different in areas colonised by each halophyte. Higher concentrations of Cu, Zn and, in particular Pb, were found in the rhizosphere of S. maritima than in the root sediments of H. portulacoides. Geochemical fractionation of Cu, Zn and Pb in sediments of the salt marsh depended upon the metal, and for Zn and Pb clearly varied with depth and with the colonising species. The higher redox potential observed in sediments colonised by H. portulacoides may in part explain the observed differences in the speciation of Cu, Zn and Pb.     

Assessment of a sewage sludge treatment on cadmium, copper and zinc bioavailability in barley, ryegrass and earthworms

The toxicity and bioavailability of metals were assessed to verify the efficiency of a new chemical leaching process (METIX-AC) to minimize the risk of metals found in municipal sewage sludge. For this purpose, sludge samples were spiked with cadmium, copper and/or zinc before being treated using METIX-AC. The sludge decontamination resulted in a removal of spiked metals (79-89%), in a decrease of the more labile fractions, and in a corresponding increase of the residual fraction. The toxicity observed after exposure of two plant species, barley (Hordeum vulgare) and ryegrass (Lolium perenne), and a terrestrial invertebrate, Eisenia andrei, to sludge-soil mixtures, disappeared after treatment, although the adverse effects were minor before treatment. The sludge treatment also significantly decreased the bioaccumulation of cadmium, copper, and zinc in the exposed species. For cadmium, maximum tissue concentrations of 0.45+/-0.08 mg/kg in barley, 0.79+/-0.27 mg/kg in ryegrass, and 21.82+/-1.85 mg/kg in earthworm exposed to sludge before treatment decreased after treatment to values similar to those observed with negative controls.     

Using landsat data to determine land use/land cover changes in Samsun, Turkey

The rapid industrialization and urbanization of an area require quick preparation of actual land use/land cover (LU/LC) maps in order to detect and avoid overuse and damage of the landscape beyond sustainable development limits. Remote sensing technology fits well for long-term monitoring and assessment of such effects. The aim of this study was to analyze LU/LC changes between 1980 and 1999 in Samsun, Turkey, using satellite images. Three Landsat images from 1980, 1987 and 1999 were used to determine changes. A post classification technique was used based on a hybrid classification approach (unsupervised and supervised). Images were classified into six LU/LC types; urban, agriculture, dense forest, open forest-hazelnut, barren land and water area. It is found that significant changes in land cover occurred over the study period. The results showed an increase in urban, open forest/hazelnut, barren land and water area and a decrease in agriculture and dense forest in between 1980 and 1999. In this period, urban land increased from 0.77% to 2.47% of the total area, primarily due to conversions from agricultural land and forest to a lesser degree. While the area of dense forest decreased from 41.09% to 29.64% of the total area, the area of open forest and hazelnut increased from 6.73% to 11.88%.     

Fluorescence and DOC contents of estuarine pore waters from colonized and non-colonized sediments: effects of sampling preservation

The influence of the colonization of salt marsh sediments with Halimione portulacoides was evaluated by analysing the fluorescent dissolved organic matter (FDOM) in sediment pore waters from a salt marsh at different depths. Cores of sediments at colonized and non-colonized sites were collected from a coastal lagoon (Ria de Aveiro, Portugal). The DOC content of extracted pore waters was determined and characterized by synchronous molecular fluorescence (Deltalambda=60nm) and UV-visible spectroscopies. The common practice of freezing sediment cores for further and later chemical investigation was shown not to be an appropriate methodology of sample preservation. On the contrary, freezing of extracted and filtered pore water seemed not to affect either the DOC content or the fluorescence properties of pore waters. Two types of fluorescent substances were found in the pore waters spectra; one corresponding to humic-like substances and another one resembling proteins. However, major differences were found in the spectra of pore waters depending on both depth and the presence/absence of vegetation colonization.     

Chromium and nickel mobilization from a contaminated soil using chelants

The mobilization of chromium and nickel from an industrial soil was investigated using two biodegradable chelants (citric acid and histidine), compared with a persistent one (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid). Successive metal mobilizations were carried out in batch experiments. The main reactions involved were estimated by modeling the system with MINEQL+. For a single mobilization, citric acid was the most effective for Cr mobilization and EDTA for Ni. Their effectiveness could be explained by their ability to solubilize the mineral matrix and by the competition for the surfaces sites to desorb Cr(VI). Before and after the mobilizations, the distribution of metals was determined by a sequential extraction procedure. Only slight modifications were observed due to the low percentage of solubilized metal. A concentration of 0.05 mol L(-1) (citric acid and EDTA) allows a good compromise between metal mobilization and preservation of the soil mineral integrity.     

Heavy metal removal from synthetic wastewaters in an anaerobic bioreactor using stillage from ethanol distilleries as a carbon source

This work was conducted to investigate the possibility of using stillage from ethanol distilleries as substrate for sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) growth and to evaluate the removal efficiency of heavy metals present in wastewaters containing sulfates. The experiments were carried out in a continuous bench-scale Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket reactor (13 l) operated with a hydraulic retention time of 18 h. The bioreactor was inoculated with 7 l of anaerobic sludge. Afterwards, an enrichment procedure to increase SRB numbers was started. After this, cadmium and zinc were added to the synthetic wastewater, and their removal as metal sulfide was evaluated. The synthetic wastewater used represented the drainage from a dam of a metallurgical industry to which a carbon source (stillage) was added. The results showed that high percentages of removal (>99%) of Cd and Zn were attained in the bioreactor, and that the removal as sulfide precipitates was not the only form of metal removal occurring in the bioreactor environment.